1. New automation concept of Targeted Social Assistance Program to families in Azerbaijan
Fuad Huseynov,
Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan

2. Program Objectives
To support the living standard of the low-income families
Increased targeting of social assistance
Improvement of expedient use of budget recourses
Reducing inequality and increasing incomes of the population

3. Targeted Social Assistance Program
Introduced in 2006 Covers families or 5% of population ( people) ( 2015) Budget AZN 206 mln. ( 2015) Eligibility threshold -AZN 105 per person Medium indicator of the targeted social assistance for families – 146 manat Medium indicator of the targeted social assistance per person - 35 manat

4. Statistical data of beneficiaries
Children under 18 years
Children with disabilities under 18 years
People ages 18 and over with disabilities – 29603
Working members of the family – 28513
Pensioners –
85% of recipients receiving targeted social assistance - children, elderly and people with disabilities

5. Years
Years

6. Conclusion
The poverty rate has decreased by almost 10 times from 49% in to 5% in 2014
Gini coefficient 33,7 ( 2008)

7. Challenges Entry barriers Poor targeting
Inclusion and exclusion errors
Low level of newly enrolled benefits (25% for 2013)
Need for a new concept emerged

8. Automation concept of Targeted Social Assistance

9. Yes No No Yes VEMTAS Decline Decline Compliance Decline (SMS)
Citizens apply for social assistance electronically
Verification through databases of MLSPP and other state agencies
Local executive government agency
VEMTAS
Yes
Notary
First Compliance
SMS confirming receipt of application sent to the applicant No
Decline
Decline No
Verification of the households condition. Filling in declarations through individual tablets by social workers and directing data in real time to VEMTAS
Compliance
Yes
Household condition comparing automatically with databases of MLSPP according to the points scale
Number of points
above threshold
Decline (SMS)
Implementation
(Payment)
Electronic allocation (SMS)
Decision
Number of points below threshold

10. Applying
Contacting the local executive government body and to receive information on the composition of the family
Notary certified families applications

11. Application process
Household representative applies electronically for TSA to the VEMTAS (online, through special information stands, etc.)

12. Application process Application is registered in VEMTAS database
Confirmation SMS sent to the applicant

13. Electronic Verification of family income and expenditures
After electronic registration of application, family income and some types of expenditures is verified through information databases of MLSPP and relevant government agencies
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Taxes etc,

14. Compliance Non-compliance-Decline Right to receive – next step
false information - deprivation of right to assistance during a year
Right to receive – next step

15. Verification of the family household condition.
Social agent receives notification for review the family household condition.
Social agent visits family in timeframe set centrally.
Declaration form is filled in through individual tablets by social agent
Data entered is transferred to VEMTAS database in real time

16. Household condition verification
Based on the income data, eligibility to pass for the next step of the process is being defined automatically
If number of points exceeds maximum level, application is declined
If result is below the defined eligibility level, allocation is conduced through the system automatically

17. Implementation Registration of the new beneficiary
Confirmation sent to the beneficiary
Information is sent to the local social protection centers domiciliary
Opens account
The family receives a bank card for money transfer
Period of the assistance – 2 years

18. Expectations from the New Concept
Decreased corruption in the system
Increased Transparency
Decrease of additional cost for beneficiaries (transport, documentation request)
Increased process efficiency
Improved data availability
Improved targeting

19. Thank you!